Rodeo Bull Riders

An inside look at the sport of bull riding, this book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the adrenaline-fueled phenomenon that’s enjoyed by more than 100 million television viewers yearly from around the world and the fastest-growing sport in America. The full-color action-packed images throughout capture the pain, fear, blood, and glory that is professional bull riding. Readers will experience the masterful rides, the horrendous falls, and the pure excitement with each turn of the page. From Adriano Moraes, Justin McBride, and Chris Shivers to Little yellow Jacket and Mossy Oak Mudslinger, all the favorite riders and bulls are included. Newcomers will find clear explanations and concise background on a growing sport that is guaranteed to thrill.

Readers will feel like they are contestants in rodeo bull riding when they read this book. Breathtaking photos help the reader to understand this exciting but dangerous sport.

All it takes is eight seconds . . . Cam O'Mara, grandson and younger brother of bull-riding champions, is not interested in partaking in the family sport. Cam is a skateboarder, and perfecting his tricks—frontside flips, 360s—means everything until his older brother, Ben, comes home from Iraq, paralyzed from a brain injury. What would make a skateboarder take a different kind of ride? And what would get him on a monstrosity of a bull named Ugly? If Cam can stay on for the requisite eight seconds, could the $15,000 prize bring hope and a future for his big brother?

A journey inside the hearts and minds of the best bull riders in the world as they compete for their greatest prize--the championship gold buckle.

"In Bionic Bull Rider, Barry Brown has captured an intriguing story of one man's life in the rodeo world. Along with his brothers, and his dog Rod, Mr. Brown's travels on the rodeo circuit are at times exciting, moving, and tragic, but are as real as you can get..."--back cover.

Examines the history of rodeo, the basic skills needed in bull riding, and how bull riders are judged and scored.

They ride horses, rope calves, buck broncos, ride and fight bulls, and even wrestle steers. They are Black cowboys, and the legacies of their pursuits intersect with those of America’s struggle for racial equality, human rights, and social justice. Keith Ryan Cartwright brings to life the stories of such pioneers as Cleo Hearn, the first Black cowboy to professionally rope in the Rodeo Cowboy Association; Myrtis Dightman, who became known as the Jackie Robinson of Rodeo after being the first Black cowboy to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo; and Tex Williams, the first Black cowboy to become a state high school rodeo champion in Texas. Black Cowboys of Rodeo is a collection of one hundred years of stories, told by these revolutionary Black pioneers themselves and set against the backdrop of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, segregation, the civil rights movement, and eventually the integration of a racially divided country.

What started as an exhibition to entertain audiences has turned into the most popular--and dangerous--event in rodeo: bull riding. When a 150-pound man attempts to ride a two-ton bull with a killer instinct, it's not a matter of whether the rider will get injured, but when, and how badly. Covers bull riding from its beginning into the new millennium.

Layne wants nothing more than to follow in his father's footsteps and to be a bull rider. His dad was one ride away from a National Championship when he got trampled to death. Layne wants to be able to give his dad that championship -- by winning it for him. What he doesn't want, though, is to end up like his father and die in the rodeo arena. When the chance comes, Layne realizes he must face up to his greatest fear. With the help of his friend Jana, and his bratty younger sister, Layne learns to reach deep inside and trust himself.

"Heart pounding, blood pumping, the cowboy nods, chute gate opens, and his world begins. Eight seconds of adrenaline rush. Eight seconds of gripping, pulling, and holding on. The animal under him bucks and twists attempting to dislodge the cowboy's seat but the rider sticks like glue. The buzzer sounds, the cowboy dismounts, tips his hat to a cheering crowd, and nods at his proud fellow riders. Just another day at the office."--from Ropes, Reins, and Rawhide Melody Groves, a native New Mexican and former bull rider, examines the sport of rodeo, from a brief history of the ranch-based competition to the rodeos of today and what each event demands. One of the first topics she addresses is the treatment of the animals. As she points out, without the bulls or horses, there wouldn't be a rodeo. For that reason, the stock contractors, chute workers, cowboys, and all the arena workers respect the animals and take precautions against their injuries. Groves writes for the rodeo novice, explaining the workings and workers (stock handlers, veterinarians, clowns, "pick up" men, event judges, etc.) seen in the arena and behind the scenes. She then describes the rodeo events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing. Interviews with rodeo legends in every event round out the "feel" for this breathtaking sport. Over ninety photos depict what is described in the text to more fully explain the rodeo, with its ropes, reins, and rawhide.